Bias-band maker.



F. C. ALTHBN.

BIAS BAND MAKER. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 12, 1911 Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

FREDERICK C. ALTI-IEN, OF ANAIVIOSA, IOWA.

BIAS-BAN D MAKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 12, 1911. Serial No. 626,674.

To all whom it may concern.

Beit known that I, FREDERICK C. ALTHEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anamosa, in the county of Jones and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bias-Band Makers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fabric folding device, adapted particularly for use in conjunction with a flat iron for making bias bands and the like, in which the'edges of the material are folded inward and the folds pressed down to a smooth finish.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, effective and inexpensive device of thisv character whereby t-he operation of making bias bands or similar bands is facilitated.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which igure l is a perspective view of the device illustrating its mode of use in conjunction with a flat iron. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device, per se. Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the folding device and the band or fabric.

The device is made of two pieces of sheet metal of any kind suitable for the purpose. One of the pieces of sheet metal forms the bottom plate or body l of the holder, and its side edges are folded or turned inwardly above the plate to provide a pair of parallel, longitudinal guide channels 2, the free edges of the inturned portions providing longitudinal tongues 3. The other plate or section 4 of the folder extends above and in parallel relation to the plate l to provide a transverse bottom guide channel 5 communicating with the side channels. The free edges of the top plate 4 are bent upwardly and inwardly to provide tongues 6, which interlock with the tongues of the channels, thus firmly connecting the two parts of the device together. At one end of the device, the edges of the bottom and top plates are cut out to form notches 7 of proper shape to receive the nose 8 of a sad iron 9.

In the operation of using the device in the manufacture of a bias band or other similar strip of material with folded edges, the band or cloth is cut out on the bias of the weave, and one end of the band passed through the bottom channel of the folder, while the edges of the band are folded over inwardly to occupy the guide channel. When the folder is then moved longitudinally along the band of fabric, it will automatically fold the edges equally inward along the length of the band, as will be readily understood. been adjusted partially along the length of the band from one end thereof, the said iron is brought to rest upon the folded edges at such end of the band in rear of the folder and with its nose engaging the notches in the folder. The free end of the band is then held in one hand under tension while the .iron is being forced toward such end,

whereby the folder will be moved along theA band and the folds formed thereby creased and pressed in rear thereof. As a result, the edges of the band may be folded, creased and smoothed or pressed in a simple and effective manner and within the minimum amount of time.

Having thus described my invention, I claim A fabric folding device of the character described comprising two sheet metal sections, one of said sections forming a bottom plate having its side edges turned upwardly and inwardly to provide superposed parallel guide channels parallel with the bottom plate, said edgesv terminating in outturned tongues extending into the channels, and the other section comprising a top plate arranged above and parallel with the bottom plate to form an intervening transverse guideway connecting the channels, the edges of said top plate being bent upwardly and inwardly to form tongues interlocking with the tongues of the bottom plate.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK C. AL'IHEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

After the folder has 

